Kiribati authorities confirm more than 80 on sunken ferry

Kiribati authorities
have confirmed that about 80 passengers plus crew of likely
about five were on the ferry Butiraoi that sank on
January 18.

Seven survivors were rescued on January 28 and
the search continues for a life raft that was launched from
the sinking ferry. The life raft is designed for 25 people
but more can be squeezed in uncomfortably.

Rescue
Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) is supporting RCC
Nadi in Fiji, which is leading the search, and the Kiribati
authorities. Kiribati is in Fiji’s search and rescue
area.

RCCNZ Watch Leader, Neville Blakemore, said an RNZAF
P-3 Orion had been searching for four days and its crew are
resting today and doing any necessary work on the
aircraft.

Mr Blakemore said three further aircraft, from
the RAAF, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the
United States Coast Guard, joined the search more recently
and are continuing
today.

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